What Is Project
Wildcat?
Project Wildcat is an outdoor orientation
program for incoming freshmen at Northwestern University. Campers spend
a week backpacking, camping, and frolicking through the great outdoors
with a small group of fellow freshmen and two trained NU-student
counselors. It is an incredible way to begin college.
We believe that the wilderness, in addition to being enjoyable in
itself, provides a perfect learning environment to begin the often
difficult transition from high school to college. Pwilders meet other
students, learn about themselves, make friends, and have a lot of fun.
Project Wildcat works closely with the Northwestern University Campus
Activities Office to ensure that the trip runs smoothly. All counselors
are certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR and have
completed a twelve week training course in necessary skills.
Moving to college has plenty of hassles without a trip to the
wilderness thrown in. Pwild assists you in all the logistics of getting
your camper successfully settled and ready for school. From Evanston
arrival and belongings storage to moving in, Pwild is here is to help.
Financial aid and rental gear are also available so Pwild is right for
anyone.
Student Qualifications
No prior experience is necessary.
Participants with no outdoor experience, as well as participants quite
at home in the woods enjoy Pwild thoroughly. Every year freshmen from
many different states and countries enjoy Pwild.
You don't need to have your own technical gear. Pwild rents sleeping
bags, pads, and backpacks for a small fee to participants who can not
provide their own. We do have a limited amount of equipment to lend,
however. We also offer advice and discounts for gear purchased in
Evanston.
Don't have any place to put your things while you're on the trip? Don't
sweat it. Pwild accommodates storage needs and helps participants with
move-in the day we return.
Finally, please do not let financial considerations keep you from
applying. We offer scholarships to qualified applicants.
Counselor
Qualifications
All counselors are certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR.
They complete a twelve week training course called Wilderness
Experience which teaches wilderness first aid and safety, "hard"
camping skills, and "soft" interpersonal communication and leadership
skills.
Your camper will be assigned with nine other participants to a
counselor pair for the duration of the trip. These counselor pairs are
carefully formed based on personality and experience to be both stable
and complimentary and consist of one male and one female counselor. The
purpose of a counselor pair is to ensure campers' safety, facilitate
their experience, and serve as a source of information and advice about
the transition to college life and the NU experience.
Financial Aid
The participation fee of $295 will be due
after your acceptance. Please note that in addition to any gear bought
on one's own (which may include hiking boots, long underwear, rain
gear, or hiking socks) we charge a small fee for items rented from us.
We do not want the cost to discourage anyone from coming on the trip.
Project Wildcat has made scholarships available for those needing
financial assistance. Please fill the appropriate box in the
application to explain financial need. We have a limited amount of
equipment to lend, but we offer advice and discounts for gear purchased
in Evanston.
Still have questions? See the Frequently
Asked Questions page, or
contact the PWild co-chairs by email.
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